Wednesday, May 31, 2017

We were up early and ready to get underway at 7:00 AM this morning when the Army Corp of Engineers came over the VHF Radio announcing that the Chesapeake Delaware Canal was closed to all Marine traffic due to restricted visibility. This was disappointing since we had planned on leaving early to take advantage of the outgoing tide on Delaware Bay. However we were pleased to hear a second radio report opening the Canal at 7:40 AM. Here is a picture of us leaving the Marina, bridges on the Chesapeake Delaware Canal, Bill at the helm, and Lulu wrapped up on the fly bridge seat.

We did take advantage of the tide and had a smooth trip down the Delaware Bay to Cape May. I ran at 2300 RPM, speed 9.1, but speed over ground was between 11.7 to 12.3 knots. we made great time in a light following wind. We passed many ships on the way:

We reached the Cape May Canal at 1:30 PM at the same time that one of the ferries was returning from Lewes, DL. I thought that I could get into the canal ahead of the ferry, but  decided to pull back on the throttle and wait until the ferry entered the channel. We followed him into the Canal
 and eventually turned into the Canyon Club Marina at 2:00 PM.
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Here are the Navigation tools that I am using as we go down the Bay. My notes made before the trip, the nautical chart, binoculars, and my daily log,

There is a good bouy system for 3/4 of the way down the Bay, but a waypoint has to be set to leave the ship channel and head toward Cape May. There are no navigation aids for this 14 nautical stretch, 

The multigauge records oil pressure, coolant temperature, alternator voltage, and fuel level. Tony will appreciate the oil pressure reading on the gauge.

The Chartplotter shows us leaving the ship channel to head toward Cape May:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Well we are still at the Summit North Marina in Bear, Delaware due to the weather today. We would have been heading into rain and 9 mph winds on the Delaware Bay. So rather than fight that all day we elected to stay another day and leave tomorrow in better weather. The weather becomes an important factor as we head down the Delaware and up the Atlantic to NYC. We plan stops in Cape May, Atlantic City, Manasquan, Atlantic Highlands and Liberty Landing in NY Harbor.
I'll post again from Cape May.

I am typing this post in the Marina Office, only location with WiFi connection. A gentleman asked if he could share the table with me. As it turned out it was retired professional Hockey Player Slyvain Cote, and I found myself sitting in the middle of an autograph session. He was signing pictures, helmets, numbers and other Hockey memorabilia. Here is his autobiography and a few pictures. I had to take advantage of the opportunity to have my picture taken with him. There is a boat builder at the marina who built a 58 ft fishing cruiser for Slyvain. I plan to walk up to his shop later, and possibly get some pictures.

Monday, May 29, 2017

We left Annapolis heading for the Chesapeake Delaware Canal at 8:00 AM and Arrived at Summit North Marina at 2:00 PM. We had a smooth ride through the fog with cloudy sky's. It made visibility somewhat difficult - Thank God for Radar and the Chart plotter. As we went under the Annapolis Bridge there was a large barge ahead of us and a Ship behind. The Ship was travelling at a higher rate of speed than we were and came very close beyond the bridge, however he turned and headed for Baltimore. It is a little startling to see him closing in on you. Here are some pictures from today:

 

With the poor visibility, it was hard to identify the sea from the sky:

 

 

 

 

 

 

We entered the C & D Canal around 1:00 PM. The only city on the Canal is the small Chesapeake City:

 

 

 

A few other pictures on the C & D Canal:

 

 

 

There is a great restaurant next to the Marina, and we were looking forward to having a nice meal, however it is under new ownership and being extensively renovated. We probably will have a Pizza delivered to the Marina. We topped off the fuel tanks, and I was surprised at the price for Diesel "$2.90 per gallon". We have been paying $2.00 to 2.10 prior to MD.

 

That's enough for today; it's Miller Time on EASTNOR!





Sunday, May 28, 2017

Took the shuttle from the Marina into Annapolis and we were dropped off at the dock they call Ego Alley right downtown.

We also walked around town visiting the many interesting shops. Here is Brenda trying on (expensive)  Hats:

 

 

The highlight of the day was visiting the US Naval Academy. Pictures speak louder than words:

 

 

 

 

I was scheduled to give a lecture in Bancroft Hall, but no one showed up except Brenda.

 

 

 

There is an interesting Naval Museum on the Academy grounds including a complete continuous display showing the history of the Navy, its Ships, traditions, and Leaders, many Model ships, and other artifacts. This is a picture of one of the Helmets that were worn by the Midshipmen in the 2005 Army Navy Game:

 

 

 

We had a great brunch at the Middleton Tavern. If you are in Annapolis, I recommend the Tavern. It was crowded due to the holiday weekend, but worth it.







Saturday, May27, 2017

We had a great ride up the Chesapeake from Solomon's Island to Annapolis. The water was flat; perfect for cruising. What a comparison to the ride from hell we had yesterday! We left at 7:55 AM and arrived at Chesapeake Harbor Marina at 2:00 PM. I had a difficult time getting marina reservations due to the Holiday weekend. I had great reservations downtown, but had to cancel when we were delayed by weather. Chesapeake Harbor is a little out of town, but they provide a shuttle service into Annapolis.

Friday, May 26, 2017

Left Regatta Point at 10:00 AM. We got a late start.
The Bay was very rough; it was a trip from hell. Our experience on the Chesapeake Bay so far has not been good. Winds on the Bay were 16 knots gusting to 22. We arrived at Solomon Island's Spring Hill Marina at 5:00 PM. Re fueled the boat, and refueled ourselves at the Tiki Bar. This is a very nice resort, and I wish we could stay longer. but we need to take advantage of good weather and make our way up to Annapolis, MD.

 

 



Thursday, May 25, 2017

We spent a second day at Dozier's Regatta Point Marina, in Deltaville Va. to avoid the foul weather on the Chesapeake. We recommend this Marina for other loopers. Reasonably priced, looper discount, 2 courtesy cars, first pump out is free, propane grills available, nice clubhouse with TV and reading lounge, free movie check outs, pet friendly, and very easy to get into from the Bay. Very accommodating staff.

 

 



Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Left Waterside Marina in Norfolk Harbor at 8:00 AM headed for Dozier"s Regatta Point Marina in Deltaville Va. It was calm in Norfolk Harbor, but we had a very rough ride in the Chesapeake for the first 25 miles. As a matter of fact Brenda threw up in a Bucket and Lulu peed her bed! What a day.
The Bay calmed down somewhat for the rest of the trip.
As we started out in Norfolk Harbor, we were passed by two Navy Patrol boats that were heading out to stand security as an Aircraft Carrier got underway and headed out to sea.

  When we arrived to where we could see the Carrier, there were four or five security boats with lights flashing positioned around the portion of the channel that the Carrier would be using to get underway. Tugs were assisting the Carrier, We altered course to outside the channel to stay out of the way.

 

 At one point we heard a command over the radio: "Boat on my starboard bow, Alter course immediately or you will be fired upon." "You must maintain 500 yards of clearance."
Obviously that startled us until we realized that he wasn't talking to us.

Here are a few pictures taken while on the Chesapeake including Wolf Trap Light that I used s a waypoint on the way up the Chesapeake, and views from the fly bridge forward and aft.:

 

 

Here is a view from our Marina:

 

 





Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Kind of an uneventful  Blah Day; rain all day. We stayed docked in Norfolk at Waterside Marina.
However around 10:00 AM this morning, I looked out the window and saw a large Navy Supply Ship very close to the facedock where the Schooner "American Rover" is docked. It was so large and close that it looked like it was going to hit the dock even though it was 100 yards away from the Schooner.
We plan to get underway tomorrow morning in better weather and head for Regatta Point in the Chesapeake, it is about a 6 hour trip.